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1939-1945 - Clifton during the Second World War

The Second World War seemed at first comfortably remote from Clifton: Bristol, unlike London, was beyond the range of German bombers. But the fall of France in 1940 ended Bristol’s immunity from attack. On 24th June, the first bombs fell on the city. The boarders were sent home – or to a forestry camp in the Forest of Dean. The possibility of evacuation was considered, but instead the school stayed put, and some air-raid shelters were built

On 24th November, the school emerged from a lecture in the Preparatory School hall to find Bristol ablaze. On 2nd December incendiaries fell on Clifton, followed by a stick of high-explosives, one of which landed between the air-raid shelters of Polack’s and Wiseman’s. When the dust and rubble subsided the Head of House said to Albert Polack: “I say sir, this is too much.” The school was dispersed for a second time.

Download Clifton College's involvement with D-Day.

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